My landlord is loading a trailer of things he's getting rid of right now. Includes 1/2" and 3/4" plywood. I need that for a riding car don't I? A few pieces of 1/2" pipe. Some very large tiles, that might be marble, some window pains, a couple of very large microwaves, anything in those worth saving? If the microwaves were smaller I might think to gut one out, tip it over and use as a shell for a highline tender. Oh yeah, there is a sink with what I guess are bronze fittings underneath, should I try to take those off?

Sounds similar to the stuff I just cleared out of my shop after hanging onto it for 10 to 20 years. Take it all, keep it for 20 years, and then throw it away.

Hmmmmm, yeah I guess I don't want to get too carried away. But certainly don't want to go to the Home Depot and shell out good money for what could be free either. Maybe twice as much plywood for what you plan to build is the right balance, so you have the chance to screw up and start?

The basic law of materials is that any piece you already have will be 1/2-inch too short for what you need.

Seriously, I guess it just depends on what the stuff is, what you know you will need, and how much storage space you have. I quit the "just in case" ideology because the storage space was getting so cluttered I forgot what I had and the mess was starting to interfere with the work. Here's my recent adventure: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... 8&t=106082

The basic law of materials is that any piece you already have will be 1/2-inch too short for what you need.

Seriously, I guess it just depends on what the stuff is, what you know you will need, and how much storage space you have. I quit the "just in case" ideology because the storage space was getting so cluttered I forgot what I had and the mess was starting to interfere with the work. Here's my recent adventure: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... 8&t=106082

Very interesting real world problems! I'm in the middle of reading it now. Is round stock where you have the biggest problem with having pieces a 1/2-inch too short?

Sounds like mostly junk, except the plywood. Plywood is getting dang expensive, a full sheet of nice 3/4 AC plywood is dang near $50 in my area now.

Yes I took the plywood! I'm embarrassed to admit that before this, I didn't have a good place for my benchtop grinder. Kept it on top of 2 large snaplid storage containers. It would vibrate around as it ran. Now at least I've got a piece of plywood I can bolt it to.